Chapter 1202: Capable |
Mere pirates couldn't be much of a military asset, especially against a force as mysterious and powerful as the Scarlet Eyes. However, they had other uses.
First, the pirates had connections to illegal endeavors, which were linked to criminal organizations. In the past, Khan had dealt with the Hive, Mister Chares' force, and whatever group Raymond Cobsend was part of, and they all had managed to create problems for him, vouching for their power and resourcefulness.
The universe was bound to have more of those criminal organizations, especially if Khan expanded the search past humankind, and they could help in countless ways. Their information network, access to rare materials, and overall knowledge were just some among many tools Khan could deploy during a universal war.
The pirates themselves were expert smugglers, knowing flight routes most legal forces ignored or were completely unaware of. Khan didn't know how the war against the Scarlet Eyes would progress. Still, blockades were a common practice during those events, and he needed experienced pilots who could keep the flow of information and resources going.
Also, the pirates and other forces involved in criminal activities had access to species otherwise unreachable. The Orlats, the Bise, and the Tors were forces Khan would have never interacted with without Milia 222's lawless environment. Khan needed all the help he could get, so he had to consider those illegal routes.
Moreover, money could keep Khan and Liiza hidden in various ways, but it was also bound to leave a trail others could follow. Khan knew about Merth 290's unique businesses, so others had to know, too, creating the risk of someone eventually finding him.
That wasn't really dangerous. Few things were for Khan, especially when accompanied by his cold, terrifying wife, but he didn't want to kill anyone out of his own selfishness, and he would. Khan knew he would lay waste to entire planets if someone confronted him about Liiza, and preferred to avoid it.
So, hopping from job to job that involved flying on illegal rides was the safest option. It wouldn't only work in favor of Khan's task of creating a joint force against the Scarlet Eyes. It would also keep him and Liiza more hidden than killing time in various fixed locations.
Admittedly, all those reasons paled before Liiza's excitement. Khan had much to plan, and she studied his every move, smiling like a child who had just received a new toy. Liiza looked beyond eager to jump on that adventure, and Khan would fulfil her wish, even if it were a bad option.
As for Khan, his planning was quite troubling. He had to get to Merth 290 to complete the transaction with the Fuveall and regain access to his finances. He could do without, but that would force him to use his strength, which was the opposite of staying hidden.
Khan had gained a relatively complete map of the illegal routes around Merth 290. He also had forces in the area, but the arranged marriage had happened on a different side of the universe, and he couldn't use teleports to get to that lawless zone.
Khan couldn't even use known routes. The chances of encountering someone were low due to how vast the universe was, but three species were bound to look for him, and his ship was quite eye-catching. He would definitely get spotted, so he had to take different flight paths.
That required a lot of improvisation, at least until Khan returned near Coravis or Merth 290. His first order of business was to escape the regulated universe and advance from there, creating routes on the fly depending on what he met.
Luckily, the ship could simulate most of that work for Khan, shortening his planning. He eventually finished setting everything up, relaxing again. He leaned his head back, only for two cold arms to wrap around his neck and a beautiful face to lie on his left cheek.
"Are you done?" Liiza asked, still captivated by the intricate star map.
"For now," Khan revealed. "We'll be flying blind for a while and might meet problems, but I can't see how small-time criminals would be an issue."
The blind part didn't apply to the scanners. Khan simply didn't know what he could meet in those unregulated parts of the universe. Chances were he would find nothing at all, but the ship might encounter pirates, and they were hardly a problem.
"This is actually the easy part," Khan admitted. "The problems will start once we land. You should be fine, but I am a liability."
"Do I have to threaten your crotch again?" Liiza wondered, her voice casual, even if far different emotions seeped through the mental connection. "I can get creative, you know? Cutting it is just one option."
"I'm not talking about that," Khan chuckled, turning his head to kiss Liiza's cheek. "I'm talking about our appearance and power. A blue-haired man and a woman with white and red hair, both with shining eyes. We aren't exactly discreet."
"Not many like us in the universe?" Liiza genuinely asked.
"Not at all," Khan responded, "Especially with three species looking for us. Hoods and shades can solve that, but I can't really hide my existence. My element is too wild to allow that."
Liiza couldn't help but look at Khan. He had resumed studying the star map, but Liiza could still notice significant changes without questioning him. Khan hadn't been able to cast a single spell on Nitis, but now spoke about his element quite casually.
Moreover, Khan was right, and Liiza felt it. She was ice and a master at the manipulation field. She could hide her existence with a mere thought, passing as an ordinary woman, but Khan couldn't, not on his own, at least.
"You still are a dumb human at times," Liiza giggled, sliding past Khan's back to sit on his lap and face him. "Did you forget that your wife is a Shaman?"
Liiza's tone grew timid toward the end of her question. She might have made that unilateral decision, but she was still shy about the whole marriage thing.
"Can you hide my presence?" Khan asked, his mind starting to feel dizzy while staring at Liiza's smiling face.
"It might not have worked with someone else," Liiza nodded. "But since it's you and it's me doing it, it should be fine."
Khan couldn't help but be surprised. He had grown so used to many of the problems caused by his element that he had long since considered them unavoidable, accepting them as part of his new normality.
However, no matter how much Khan had learned, Liiza still seemed to know more than he did about mana. She had grown extremely capable, too, allowing him to rely on her.
"Then," Khan began to say, wanting to test that method right away, but his mouth grew dry. Liiza settled on his lap, glancing meaningfully at him before biting her lip.
Liiza had waited for Khan to be done with the task, but her patience had reached its limits. Also, she had just finished drawing her tattoo and had yet to deal with the mess from the arranged marriage. Those weren't easy subjects, and the Niqols only had one solution.
Khan's hand moved on its own, reaching for the zipper and opening the upper part of the tracksuit he had put on Liiza. That exposed her, but he ignored her alluring beauty to move the clothes away, revealing the white tattoo on her chest.
Important topics and matters had distracted Khan from that event, but he couldn't ignore it anymore. Liiza's white tattoo filled his vision, acting as a perfect mirror of what he had on his right shoulder. That rune was a declaration, and they both carried it now.
Khan couldn't help but pull Liiza closer. That white spot was still dirty, but he couldn't control himself. His mouth went on her tattoo, and she gasped loudly when she felt his warm tongue.
That spot's sensitivity had increased by several levels, and Khan felt it through the mental connection. He experienced a fainter version of Liiza's pleasure, and everything intensified when she clung to his head to pull him deeper into her.
"[Khan, harder]," Liiza begged. "[Help me forget I have ever existed without your warmth]."
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